Slide fastener



June 1o, 1941. Y

A. w. TRIFPA Er AL SLIDE FASTENER Filed Feb. 8," 1940 2 sheetssheet ATTORNEY Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLIDE FAST'ENER Anthony W. Tripp and Jacob D. Stiriss, New York, N. Y., assignors to Slidette, Corp., New York,

20 Claims.

This invention relates to slide fasteners, and is particularly directed to slide fasteners wherein a plurality of spaced individual fastener elements are fixed to a flexible strip, and provided with means slidably engaging longitudinal beading on the adjacent margins of a pair of parallel flexible tapes disposed side by side and adapted to be stitched to the edges of a garment, bag or other article at the opening thereof of the type generally disclosed in applicants co-pending applications Serial Nos. 317,838 and 317,840, filed February 8, 1940.

An object of this invention is to provide in a slide fastener of the character described, individual fastener elements, so constructed as to permit use of a Wide Variety of buttons or ornaments in the assembly thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slide fastener of the character described, having individual fastener elements adapted to be quickly and easily assembled with the flexible strips.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in slide fasteners of the character described, a metal fastener element adapted to be attached to a flexible strip by a tack having a head pressing the strip against one side of the fastener element, and a shank passing through an opening in the fastener element, and on which is mounted a button or ornamental member contacting the opposite side of the fastener element, the construction of the fastener element being such that pressure against opposite sides thereof, by the head of the tack and the button or ornament, will not cause the fastener element to clamp the tapes on which it is slidably mounted, whereby the fasteners may be slidably moved on the tapes Without binding and Without excessive looseness.

Fastener elements of the type generally described herein, Were heretofore provided with a pair of longitudinal channels receiving the beads of the tapes, the channels being formed with slots through which the tapes pass. In such construction, the channels contact the beads throughout the entire length of the channels. In order to get friction between the walls of the channels and the beads, the channels had to clamp the beads which caused too great a friction. If the channels did not clamp the bead, the fasteners were too loose on the tapes, and thus it was always diicult to obtain the right amount of friction. It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide a construction of the character described, in which the friction on the bead is not either too loose or too tight.

In prior constructions, furthermore, when the channel walls were of uniform cross-section throughout, if the ends of the slottedwallsthrough which the web portions of the tapes passed, were not rounded at the ends, there would be a tend-v ency to cut the beads. If the ends of the slotted walls were curved, the beads would have a tendency to wedge into the slots between the rounded ends of the slotted walls and prevent the fastener element from properly sliding on the tapes.Y It is therefore yet another object of this invention to overcome this difficulty by providing a construction in which the bead cannot be cut or wedged, and in which the friction on the bead is between rounded surfaces and straight surfaces at the mid portions of the fasteners.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a slide fastener of the character de. scribed, fastener elements which are so shaped as to permit use ofsmaller or round buttons or ornaments without showing the element, and in which the elements will contact when the slide fastener is drawn to open position, instead of the buttons or ornaments contacting.

Still another object of this invention is to provide slide fasteners of the character described, in which the flexible strip with the fastener elements thereon may be readily removed from or attached to the strips of tape.

Yet another object of this invention is toprovide a strong and durable slide fastener of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manipulate, attractive in appearance, and yet practical and eflicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of'construction, combinations of elements,

and arrangement of parts, which will be exempliled in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. l is a front elevational View of slide fastener construction, embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational View of the structure shown in Fig. l, with parts broken away and inl cross-section;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '1 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Fig. 8 is a :perspective View of two parts of the fastener element separated from each other;

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 5, but illustrating a modified construction;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but illustrating a still further modified construction;

Fig. l1 is a bottom plan View of the leaderends- ,Refer'ringnow'in detail-to the drawings, I0

designates VAa.`slide fastener construction embodying. the invention, comprising a pair of symmetrically disposed, spaced, elongated, parallel strips ftape. l2. Eachtape I2 has an elongated bead 3. at .one edge, and a web, portion IBaeXtending fromthebead. lfIhe beadsl3of the tapes I2 are vspace djfrom and. adjacent to one another, and the web,portions i3d arein a common plane. The tapes' IZarestitched, as at I4, to longitudinal, spaced,edge portions I5 atthe opening of a garment,'bag or other article, with the beaded portionsof .said tapesprojecting inwardly ,beyond` said edge portions I5.

Means lisprovided for fastening together the tapes |2.longitudinally. To this end, thereis f provided an elongated, vflexible strip I6 of. cloth orany other. suitable material, andattached to said stripIB, are aplurality of spaced fastener members l1. Each fastener Vmember I1 comprises a fastener or. slider. element I8, preferably made of metal, .attached to thestrip I6 by means of a.tack'|9 .and buttonor ornamental member 20, in the manner hereinafter appearing.

'Eachfastener element. I8 is made of two similar, symmetrically disposed parts 23. Eacnpart 23 has a wall 241providedwith a pair of similar, parallel, longitudinal side flanges 25. Each wall 24'is formed `with a central recessed, annular, cupped portion 21,`formed with a central opening128. The height of each recessed portion 21 issornewhatgreaterthanrthe ywidthr of the 'flanges 25,1whereby saidrecessed portion extends beyond said f'anges. fAt one zend of the wall S24, is a curved portion forn'n-dwithv la` doveftailedcentral slot '731. IfExtending from-'the'other end of the-wall 24,-is acentralcurvedportion 33, from which there extends at right angles to said' wall, a tab .34; having at its outer end adouble pointed prong.35, and.. apair .ofshoulders `36 von vopposite sides.f said prong. `'I'hedengthof the .prong from the wall 24 to the shoulder 35, isnpreferably twice the height of each recessed portion 21.

The parts. 23 are assembled together by snapping the 'prongs 35 of each part into theA dovetailed slot 3I of the other part, so that the shoulders 36 of each part contact the underside of the wall portion 30 of the other part. The prongs are then riveted outwardly, to fix the two parts together. The bottoms of the recessed portions 21 will also contact one another so that the openings 28 register. When the parts 23 are assembled, a slot 33 will be formed between each pair of flanges 25 toreceive the webs I3a of tapes I2. Channels 38a are-also formed between portions 21 and flanges 25 to receive the beads i3 of said tapes.

The beads I3 are received between the annularV portions 21 and the ilanges 25 of the elements,

-and the ywebsite of the tapes I2 pass through v'the slots 38. The beads I3 are somewhat clamped between the rounded portions 21 and the mid portions of the straight flanges 25, to produce sufi'icient friction to hold the fastener elements at any position to which they are slidably moved on the beads.

,It will be noted that the end openings |31) of the channels 38a, on each side of the tabs 32, through which the beads I3 pass, are sufficiently wide `toperrnit the beads to loosely pass therethrough without any clamping action, so that the only clamping action between the fastener elements and the beads, is between the annular portions '21 and the mid-portions of the straight flanges 25. ,l

'Each tack klil has ahead l9a and a screw threaded shank |912. The strip I6 contacts the outer surface of one of the walls 24 of each fastener. element and extends longitudinally thereof. The threaded stem or shank of the tack I9 pierces the strip and passes through the registering openings '28.

.Each button 20 preferably has a central recessedopening 6B on one surfacethereotgand pressed into said recess, is the conical end 4I of anelement 42. Said element 42 has a tubular, axial internally screw threaded portion43 passing through the openings 28 of the fastener ele-V ment I8, and receiving the screw threadedstem ISD ofthe tack I9.

It will be noted that the conical portion 4I is .spread outwardly and pressed into the recess ofthe button 23, so that the element 42"will becomeirmly fastened to said button. .The button may then be readily screwed to the shank of thetack I9. Y,

VIt willV now be understood that the buttons may be quickly assembled with the tacks I9 and ele` ments I 3, and the buttons may be readily replaced so that a wide variety of buttons or ornamentalmembers may be employed. It will be notedthat when the tack is screwed tight to the button, the pressure is taken up by the tabs 34, as well as the central cup-shaped or recessed portion 21, and pressure will not cause the flanges 25'to clamp against the web portions 13a of the tape.

tainedconstant. Y

In prior constructions, the beads in fastener v elements of the general type described herein,

were received in longitudinal channels frictionally-engaging the beads throughout the length of the channel, and with such construction, the friction on the bead was either too great or too littleV making thel fasteners either too tighter too loose. In the present construction, since the pressure on the bead is between an annular or rounded surface and a fiat or straight surface, a proper amount of friction may be obtained so that the fastener elements will easily slide on the tapes I2 and will be set in'any position to which The width of the slots 38 is thus main n they-are moved. Since the openings at the ends of the fasteners loosely receive the beads, there is no cutting of the beads, thus adding to the life of the fastener construction.

It will be noted that the corners 25a of the flanges 25 are balled, that is, they are square edges, but not sharp. This construction prevents the tape from wedging in between the flanges, as there is not sufcient curvature to give the beads the start to wedge in between the flanges 25.

It will be noted that the corners of thewalls 24 are cut away, and with this constructiomthe fastener elements I8 will contact when the fasteners are pushed together to open up the garment or bag. Nevertheless, the buttons 2l] will cover the entire walls 24. The necessary length of the fastener elements is thus maintained without showing the corners of the elements when using round buttons, thus permitting the use of smaller buttons or round buttons without showing the elements I8.

Fixed to the lower ends of the tapes I2 are metal leaders 50, having web portions I aligned with the web portions I3a, and tapered beaded portions 52 aligned with the beads I3. The leaders may be easily threaded through the fastener elements I8, so that the entire strip I6 with its fasteners I1 may be readily removed, as when the garment is being laundered or cleaned.

The tapered beaded split tubular portions 52 of the leaders compress the beads I3 of the tapes I2 so as to be of such size that they may readily pass through the channels 38a o-f the fastener elements. The web portions 5I of each leader 58 extends from the tapered tubular portion 52 thereof, contacting opposite sides of the web I3a of the tape I2, and are riveted together by an eyelet 54h. The tubular portions 52 extend above the web portions 5I, and the lower end edges I3c of the web portions I3a of the tapes are inclined downwardly and outwardly, the inner ends of said inclined edges terminating at the upper ends of the web portions of the leaders, so that the web portions of the leaders may be pressed together into contact below the end edges of `the tapes so as to be sufficiently thin, adjacent the tubular portions 52, to pass through the slots 38 in the fastener elements.

The uppermost member I1 may be provided with a transverse bar 54, to which is attached a handle 55, for pulling the fasteners downwardly to open up the garment, or upwardly, to close the opening in the garment. The transverse bar 54 has a central portion 55 eyeleted to the element I 8, and passing through the openings 28. The handle 55 may be pivoted to the Across-bar 54 in any suitable manner.

In Fig. 9 the threaded shank |91) of the tack I 9, is driven directly into a composition button 6D.

In Fig. 10 the threaded stem I9b of the tack I9, is screwed to a threaded tubular portion 62 of a member 63 having a ring portion 64 to receive an ornamental device B6.

In Figs- 12 and 13 there is shown a modified form of handle for the uppermost fastener. Riveted to the uppermost fastener element is a crossbar 54a similar to the cross-bar 54, with the exception that the outer ends are punched into hemi-spherical shape, as shown at 18 in Fig. 13. Attached to the hemi-spherical portion 10, at the ends ofthe cross-bar 54a are socketed members 12. Each socketed member 12 has an upper socket 13 to receive the portions 10, and lower socketed member 14. The portions 14 grip the outer ends of a flexible connector 15,

which may serve as a handle, or to which there may be attached a tab 16 serving as a handle to pull down the fasteners.

It will be noted that the members 12 are connected to the cross-bar by a ball and socket connection, thus facilitating movement of the handle without twisting the cross-bar.

In Figs. 14, and 16 there is shown sliders embodying the invention, and illustrating modified forms thereof. In each oase, the slider element I8 is the same as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

In Fig. 14, however, an ornamental member or button 8G has fixed thereto a stem 8l projecting through the registering openings 28 and friotionally received in a tubular rivet 83, having a head 84 partially received within the central recess of one of the parts 23, and pressing a portion of the tape I6 into said recess. Thus, the head 84 of the rivet 83 is smaller, so as to press a portion of the tape into the recess, thus firmly gripping the tape.

In Fig. l5 the button 80 is attached to the slider I8 by means of a riveted eyelet 95 having a head 86 pressing a portion of tape I6 into the recessed portion 21 of one of the slider parts 23.

In Fig. 16 there is attached to the button 88, a tubular stem 91 receiving the stem 98 of a fas- -tener having a head 99 which presses the central portion of the tape I6 into the recessed portion 21 of slider element part 23.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a devicev in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure Iby Letters Patent:

1. In a slide fastener, a flexible strip, and a plurality of spaced fastener elements fixed to each strip, each element having means to slidably engage said beading on a pair yof parallel pieces of tape, andv an ornamental member mounted on each fastener element.

2. A slide fastener comprising an elongated flexible member, a plurality of spaced fastener elements contacting said flexible member, means for attaching said tape to one side of each fastener element,each element having means for slidably engage the beading on a pair of pieces of tape, and an ornamental member attached to the'other side of each fastener element.

3. A slide fastener comprising an elongated flexible member, a plurality of slider elements having means to slidably engage beading on a pair `of parallel flexible tapes, each element having an opening, means extending through said openings to attach said flexible `member to said elements, said element 4being disposed on one side of said flexible member, and an ornamental member attached to the other side of eachv element.

4. A slide fastener comprising an elongated flexible strip adaptedto extend longitudinally of a pair of parallel pieces of tape having marginal beading, a fastener element contacting one side of said strip, and provided with means slidably engaging said beading, and being formed with an opening, a member having a head contacting the other side of said strip, and a shank Ypassing .through said `strip and Vthrough said opening, andpa a member gripping said` :shank .to fasten said member and element to saidfstrip.

f i5. In zaslidefastener, aexible strip, a pluralityof spacedfastener elements onzsaidv strip, each element:beingfforrnedl with a'pairof spaced parallel slots,:and :withaf through opening between saidfslots, a'mem'ber'havinga shank passingfrthrough the/.strip .and the'opening of. each element, ieach .member having a head, the'strip :beinglinterpose'd `between said elementsand the heads of said mem-bers, and ornamental ymem-bers overlyingisaid. elements and grippingthe Shanks `oi" :said members.

*6. `A fastener elementhaving parallel, Yspaced Walls, each -wall having 4afpair of. parallel anges extendingitoward t-he other wall, the anges of each-.side ofsaid element being alignedwith one anothen--and'- the inner edges thereof `being spaced from one another to forma slot, .and means dis- '.posedioetween the flan-ges of each wall and spaced inwardly thereof, interconnecting said :Walls 4and .spacing said Wallsrfrom one another.

7. A.fastener element having parallel, spaced walls, each wall having a pair of parallel anges i extending'toward the Vother wall,'the flanges of eachside `ofsaid element being alignedwith one another, and the'innerzedges thereof .being spaced from :one another to 'form a slot, and means disposedrbetween the 'flanges -of each wall interconnecting said wallslarrd'spacing `said. 4walls 'from one.a'nother, said.walls .eachl'being formed with a central recessed portion, thefbottoms of said recessed portions ycontacting one another and formed with centralregistering openings.

f8."A'fa`ste`ner element adapted to sli'dably receivethelongitudinalbeads of a `pair. ofV flexible tapes, saidelement'being madeof two similar, symmetrically disposed, metaliparts, each-.part havingfa -wall formed` with .a pair of parallel longitudinal''flanges at its sideatheanges of one part being aligned with Iand-spacedfrom the flanges ofthe other part to 'form'lon'gitudinal slotsfbetween'saidflangesatfthe sides of the fastener,l each .part being'formed with a portioneX- tending from said'wall'thereof, bent over'the wall of the Vother part to 'prevent separation of said parts, andfhaving-a shoulder .engaging said wall of said other part, to space said parts, wherewby said walls are held in spaced,.parallel relation to one another.

`9. A-fastener element adapted to slidably receive the longitudinal beads of apair offexible tapes,` said element being made of `two similar, symmetrically disposedpmetal parts, each part havingza wall .formed With-'a'pairfof parallel longitudinal flanges at its Asidespthe flanges of one part being a-ligned with and spaced from the flanges of the "other part to form longitudinal slots between said anges -at the sides 'of the fastener, each part being formed with a portion extending from said wall thereof,l riveted tothe ,A wall of fthe :other part and having'a shoulder `spacedffrom the anges of the yother-vvall,.means interconnecting said walls, locatedbetween: the `planes of saidanges, a Yiiexible. str-ipwattached to one side of saidelement, and fan ornamental member on the `other side of said'element.

.11.--A fastener element having spaced parallel Walls,- and said walls each. havingpar-allel flanges, .the anges of one wall .beingalignedwith and .spaced-fromv the flanges ofthe .other Wall, means interconnecting said walls; said.A means being lovcatedrbetween the planes of .said-flanges, `and saidvwalls being formed'with registeringeopen- .ingsga exible strip contacting. the cuter surface of-one .ofsaid walls, a memberrcontacting--the .other -ofzsaid walls, and meansextending through said openings to x said .strip and-.member .to

said element.

.12. Inza slide fastener made :of twosimilar, symmetrically disposed metal parts, each 1 part having a at wall provided A with, parallel side flanges extending at right angles to said wall, la tab at oneend of. said wall disposed perpendic- .ularlyto said flangesfand Wall, prongs at the ends of said tab,said'tabs each being formed `with vshoulders adjacent said prongs,.and said Awall having a 'groove Iat the opposite end thereof, the prongs ron;the .tab of each part being received within the 7groove of the other part,` and the shoulders of said; tabcontactingl said--Wallof rsaid .otherj part; and said prongs. being riveted over' said othenpart" forrattaching said. partsztogether, the flanges x of one part being aligned with the flangesazof :theother partgand spaced therefrom, wherebyitoiforrn a longitudinalxslot -oneach side of thefastener.

`13. In aA slide` fastener made .of f two similar, 'symmetrically disposed metal parts, .each part having iaat vwall-'provided with parallel side flanges .extending at right angles to said wall.; a tab at one endof said wall disposed perpendic- .ularly Vto said flanges and wall, prongs at the ends'ofsaidtab, said'itabs each being formed -With shoulders :adjacent said tprongs, :i and said wallhaving a groove atthe opposite endithereof, the prongs on '.thetabof eachrpartgbeing received within the groove ofthe other. part, and thezshoulders'ofsaid tab. contacting said wall" f said :other: part, and said prongs being riveted overA vsaid f otherr part 1 for attaching said "parts together, the flanges of one-part being alignedl with'theanges offthe other' part, and spaced therefrom, whereby to .fform -a 1 longitudinal y slot on'each .side of the fastener,v said wall ofeach partfbeingA formed with acentral recessed apertured portion. 'disposed' between the sideianges of said part, and the inner ends .of said 'recessed apertured portions contacting one anothery and the openings therein registering vwith ione another.

14. In a slide fastener made of two similar, symmetrically disposed metal parts, each part having a Jflat'wall provided with parallel side anges extending at right angles to. said'wall, fa tab at one end of said wall Adisposed perpendicularly to saidanges and wall, prongsat" the ends of saidftab, saidtabs each being'formed with shoulders adjacent said prongsfandsad wall havingla groove at the opposite end thereof, the prongsr on thetab of each part being received within the groove` of thevother part, and the shoulders of said tab 'contacting said wall of said other part, and said prongs being riveted over said yother part for attaching said parts `together, the flanges of one part being aligned with the flanges Aof the other part, and spacedl therefrom, whereby to form a Vlongitudinal slot on each side of the fastener, said wall of each part being formed with a central recessed apertured portion disposed between the side flanges of said part, and the inner ends of said recessed apertured portions contacting one another and the openings therein registering with one another, a strip ol tape contacting the outer surface of the wall of one of said parts, a mzenrber contacting the wall of the other of said parts, and means extending through said Openings to attach said strip and member to said element.

15. A fastener element having spaced parallel walls, and said walls each having parallel flanges, the flanges of one wall being aligned with and spaced from the flanges of the other wall, means interconnecting said walls, said means being located between the planes of said flanges, and said walls being formed with registering openings, a fiexible strip contacting one of said walls, a tack having a screw threaded shank piercing said strip and passing through said openings, a button having a recess in one surface thereof, a member having an outwardly flared portion, and a tubular, internally screw threaded portion extending from. said flaring portion, said flaring portion being force fitted into said recess, and said shank being screwed into said tubular portion.

16. A fastener element having parallel spaced walls, each wall having a pair of parallel flanges extending toward the other wall, said Walls each being formed with a central recessed portion contacting one another and forming a means to frictionally engage the bead of the tape in 1 the mid-section of the fastener element.

17. In combination, a fastener element, a piece of tape attached thereto, a cross-bar fixed mediately the ends thereof to said fastener element, a pair of members having ball and socket connection with the outer ends of said cross-bar, and a flexible element interconnecting said pair of members.

18. In combination, a pair of similar, sym.- metrically disposed, spaced tapes having longitudinal beads at their inner edges, and web portions extending from said beads, a plurality of fastener elements slidably mounted on said beads and having slots receiving the web portions of said tapes, a strip attached to said fastener element, and a pair of leaders at the lower ends of said tapes, said leaders being made of metal and having tubular portions receiving the beads of said tapes, and web portions receiving the web portions of the tapes, said tubular portions extending above the web portions of said leaders, and part of the web portions of said tapes terminating above the lower ends of the web portions of said leaders, adjacent the tubular portions thereof, whereby opposite walls of said leader contact where the wet portion of the tape is removed.

19. A slider element comprising a pair of metal parts, means on said parts for attaching said parts together, said slider having spaced parallel walls, each wall having a pair of parallel flanges, the anges on one wall being aligned with and extending toward the anges on the other Wall, the adjacent edges of said flanges being spaced to form slots, one of said walls being formed with a recess, a strip of tape contacting said wall, and means -for attaching said strip of tape to said wall, including a fastening member having a portion disposed within the recess and pressing a portion of said strip of tape into said recess.

2i). A slider element comprising a pair of metal parts, means on said parts for attaching said parts together, said slider having spaced parallel walls, each wall having a pair of parallel anges, the flanges on one wall being aligned with and Xtending toward the flanges on the other wall, the adjacent edges of said flanges being spaced to form slots, one of said walls being formed with a recess, a strip of tape contacting said wall, means for attaching said strip of tape to said wall, including a fastening member having a portion disposed within the recess and pressing a portion of said strip of tape into said recess, and an ornamental member attached to said slider and contacting the other Wall thereof. ANTHONY W. TRIPP. JACOB D. STIRISS. 

